A/N: Violence, but just a little! If you blink, you are going to miss it.

Merlin's heart leapt when strong arms tossed into a bunch of young saplings. His dark eyebrows rose as he spotted Cenred's colors on two large men brandishing sharp swords. He smiled brightly.

"Hello." Merlin attempted to look sincere. His hands felt clammy.

"Who are you," demanded a knight with an egg shaped head.

"Merlin of Ealdor, just out for a relaxing stroll in the woods."

The smaller one by a few pounds grabbed Merlin's blue tunic. "I've never seen you in Ealdor."

Merlin pouted his lips. "Why would you look for a male? Certainly, you search for pretty ladies. I'm not your type."

Merlin's teeth rattled when he landed on a pile of crumbly pebbles. He winced in pain. "So, I am your type?"

His tormentors stomped towards Merlin. Merlin summoned his magic as he watched Cenred's knights approaching. Suddenly, Gawain jumped from a tree and landed on his attacker. Quickly, he plunged his sword deep into his chest. The other knight swung Gawain around as he moved his lithe body. His large hands connected with Cenred' s knight's head. Gawain pulled a knife from his side and sliced the knight's neck.

Fear paralyzed Merlin's body as he watched Gawain save him from Cenred's knights. He legs felt numb. He could barley feel Gawain helping him to his feet. Gawain brushed twigs, grass, and dirt from Merlin's clothes.

"What are you doing here, Gawain?"

Gawain shot Merlin an annoyed look. "I'm stalking Arthur because he stalked you into the forest. He jumped like a girl over a spider. He went down a dark path."

Merlin slapped his hands against his dark hair. "That leads to Gwen's house."

"It's cruel and wrong to deny them. I can't take her pain and his depression."

Gawain watched Merlin stumbling around and mumbling about dragons, witches, and too many chores. Gawain grabbed his boney shoulder.

"Calm down."

Arthur's thumbs traced Gwen's cheekbones. Her eyes fluttered shut. "Keep your eyes open, Guinevere. I want to see your dark eyes," Arthur whispered softly. Gwen stared deeply into Arthur tears drenched blue eyes. Her hand resting on his hard shoulder. His fingers touched her lips. They trailed along her throat. Arthur eyed a small crystal hanging around her neck.

"You're wearing it. He gave it to you. He remembered." Arthur shut his eyes for a moment. His thumb grazed Gwen's crystal. "Merlin.."

Arthur pulled Gwen behind him when a bright light filled Gwen's small house. He grimaced when Gawain and Merlin landed on Gwen's floor with a loud thump. Merlin gave Arthur a goofy smile.

"Are you mad?"

"Furious."

"Can I do anything right?"

Gwen's curly head rested under Arthur's chin with her legs curled in his lap. Their fingers entangled on her stomach. Arthur listened intently to Merlin and Gawain's rational for lying about Gwen's death. He didn't blame them. His heart was finally at peace. Arthur's thumb stoked Gwen's hand to make sure that she was real.

"Who healed Guinevere?"

Arthur tightened his arms around Gwen when she stiffened in his lap. Merlin lowered his blue eyes. Gawain swallowed nervously.

"Another secret?"

Gwen used the moment to scoot from Arthur's lap. She moved too quickly for him to capture her arm. She grabbed her wrap from the wall and offered it to Gawain. He wrapped her white shawl around her small shoulders. He smiled gently at his tiny friend.

"Where you are going, "Arthur demanded possessively. "It's almost dark. Gwen's shawl is around her tight enough."

Gawain chuckled when Gwen smiled lovingly at Arthur. "I need fresh air." Gwen offered Gawain her hand.

"Guinevere, you need both hands to balance yourself. He doesn't need to hold it."

"Nothing has changed much," Gwen muttered as she stepped outside.

"Gawain, stay close to the house." Gawain swallowed a flippant remark when he spotted fear in Arthur's blue eyes.

"Don't worry, Arthur. She's safe."

Arthur ran his fingers along his sword. He watched Gwen and Gawain walking idly around the house from a wide window. Gawain offered Gwen a few wild buttercups. Laughing, she slipped one into Gawain's hair.

"Don't be jealous."

"I'm not jealous. I'm happy she's alive. How is she alive, Merlin?"

Merlin wiped tears from his eyes. "I'm a sorcerer. I can't say it any other way. I healed her burns and other injuries."

Arthur's teeth clenched. His knuckles tightened. His mind raced with Merlin's words. "Have you brought harm to me or Camelot?"

Merlin shook his dark head. "Never to you. I've killed a few magical beasts and people."

Arthur rested his head on his hand. "There is more?"

"Morgana is Morgause's sister. She's witch. She's responsible for Gwen' accident. "

Merlin waited for a loud denial from Arthur. He noticed a light gleaming in Arthur's eyes.

"I'm not going to yell. She didn't care Guinevere died. She was cruel and detached. I'm going to kill her."

"You can't."

"Why not?"

"She's your sister."

Arthur's blue eyes widened in shock. He licked his lips. "What?"

"Uther had an affair with Vivian, Morgana's mother, when Gorlois was away. Morgana was conceived. I don't know if your mother knew. He confessed to Gauis during Morgana's ordeal. I overheard. So, did she."

Arthur leaned back in his chair. His biddy numbed with shock. "He claimed he loved my mother. He would have never done anything to hurt her. Yet, he had a child with his best friend's wife. That's harm."

"Arthur-"

"No, Merlin."

Arthur rose from his chair, knocking it to the floor. "Is anything true in Camelot?"

"I don't know."

"Morgana is my half sister. She's crazy. She tried to kill Gwen."

Merlin winced uncomfortabley. "Morgana tried to kill you."

'What?"

"Her gift before the quest was enchanted. It was draining your life force."

Arthur rubbed his eyes. "Anything else?"

"Gwen stays here. It isn't safe for her in Camelot."

Arthur gave Merlin a hard look. "You're right."

Arthur's head flung around when he heard a loud shout from Gwen. He grabbed his sword and charged out of the door with Merlin on his heels. Arthur watched in amazement. Gawain laid atop the Great Dragon. The thing gently licked Gwen's face as she squeaked in delight and disgust.

"Am I seeing this?"

Arthur sat watching Gwen brushing her curly locks as candles burned in her dark house. He kicked Gawain and Merlin out of the house hours ago. Merlin protesting that it wasn't safe. Arthur convinced Merlin that he could look after Gwen. Gawain finally grabbed Merlin's tunic and carried him toward Ealdor.

"What are you thinking, Arthur?"

Arthur watched Gwen through a glowing candle. "You're beautiful."

"No, I'm not," Gwen protested.

"You're the most precious part of my life. I've been so sad. Lost without you."

Gwen's brush dropped from her hand as she rushed across the room. She fell to her knees in front of Arthur. Her hands cupping his face. He pressed a small kiss on her palm. "Never again, "she murmured. "Never, will I leave you again."

Gwen wrapped her hand around Arthur's wrist and pulled him to the bed. Arthur pulled the covers back and tucked Gwen into her warm bed. The mattress creaked when he lowered his weary body to the bed. Gwen smoothed a heavy blanket across his large frame. Arthur pressed a kiss to her forehead.

'Sleep well, Gwen. I love you."

"I love you too."

Arthur rolled on his stomach and threw an arm over Gwen's tiny body. She snuggled closer to him.

Deep into the night, Gwen's dark eyes opened and smiled. Arthur's pig squeals warmed her heart. She kissed his eyes softly before she fell back to sleep.

A/N" I'm writing this for my 13 year old buddy, Cloudy. I promised her a Merlin and Gwen epic adventure. Arthur is ruining my story. Nothing happens between Arthur and Gwen. Morgana gets a mirror. Gwen and her dragon. Merlin flees Camelot. Gwen and Merlin on the run. Arthur touched the crystal and said Merlin. That's how Merlin and Gawain arrived at the house. Gawain had his hand on Merlin.